What are Olfactive Families?

The adjective “olfactive” comes from the root word “olfactory”, which simply relates to the sense of smell. Considering perfumes ability to mimic or even create a particular scent, this word became strongly associated with perfumery.

To help us understand perfume and facilitate functioning within this capturing field, scents have been classified into several families, which function as a guide to deciphering a perfume composition.

100 Citrus
The oldest olfactive family. Fresh and light fragrances, which get their character from ingredients like lemon, orange, mandarin, bergamot and other citrus fruits. Offering freshness and sparkle.
200 Fruity
Notes smelling of fruits (except citrus fruits). They add liveliness, freshness and sweetness.
300 Floral
A wide family with a lot of varieties; white-floral like jasmine, ylang-ylang, tuberose; green-floral like violet and hyacinth; transparent-floral like lily of the valley, freesia and light rose notes. Bringing delicacy and elegance.
400 Fougere
Traditionally a typical masculine fragrance family. It is characterized by a combination of fresh herbaceous lavender notes on a mossy fond with coumarin which has a smell of fresh hay. Classical Fougères have a dominating lavender freshness.
500 Chypre
A combination of a fresh top notes with a base of oak moss, ciste labdanum and patchouli. Fragrances can have accents through fruity, floral, green, woody, aromatic or leathery notes.
600 Woody
These fragrances have a dominating woody heart and base note, which are marked by the use of raw materials like sandalwood (smooth, rich and soft), cedarwood (dry), patchouli (earthy) or vetiver. Typically, these perfumes are warm, dry and elegant.
700 Oriental
Fragrances that are characterized by an intense and full body. They are mainly based on an ambery accord with a vanilla background and often accentuated with precious woods and spices.